Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Skip

If you’re carrying out a bit of essential maintenance on your home or garden, instead of heading back and forth to the tip, you might want to think about hiring a skip.

They’re available in a wide range of sizes so you’re sure to find one big enough whatever the job, and can be dropped off and picked up whenever you need.

However, there are a couple of things you’ll need to bear in mind before hiring a skip, with the most important being the need for a skip permit if you’re planning to place the skip on a public highway.
Skip permits
A skip permit grants you permission from the council to place the skip and without one, you could be hit with fines or even prosecution.

In many cases, the company that you’re hiring the skip from will be able to obtain the permit for you.

But if you do have to acquire your own, you’ll have to pay for it, with prices varying depending on where you live.

The permit will usually be valid for two or four weeks, but if you do need a bit more time, they can easily be extended.

So make sure that you check with your skip hire company to ensure that they have a permit, and if not then make sure to get in touch with your local council yourself.

Many councils will allow you to apply for a permit online and you can check your local authority online at Directgov.
Skip placement
It’s best if you can place a skip on your own driveway or lawn so that it’s out of the way and you won’t require a permit, but in many properties, this isn’t possible.

In this case, you are permitted to place the skip on a road (but not a pavement) as long as it isn’t causing any kind of obstruction.

For example, the skip can’t be placed in a parking bay or on yellow lines. You may also be required to use safety lights or cones if you do place your skip on the road.
What can I put in a skip?
While you can use a skip to dispose of most common household waste, there are certain materials which can’t be put in a skip due to health and safety.

Obviously, a bigger skip is going to cost you that little bit extra, however, we do recommend perhaps going with a slightly bigger skip than you think you might need, as these kinds of jobs are often bigger than expected!

So when you finally do get round to doing that big clear out, make sure to bear in mind how much waste you’re going to be getting rid of, whether it’s suitable for a skip and whether you’ll be needing a permit.